Battle Creek, Michigan –
Chris "Buck" Buchanan
Director, DLA Disposition Services West Region
San Diego, California
How long have you worked for the federal government including military service? I enlisted in the Navy in 1985 and served for 26 year. I retired in 2011 and started working for DLA as a general schedule 13 associate in October 201. All together, I have 34 years with the federal government.
How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services? 8 years
What is your favorite thing about your line of work? Providing reverse logistics and disposition solutions to the Warfighter. Training and developing employees to be more proficient and their jobs and positioned for increased responsibility and promotions.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? Do the right thing even when there is nobody looking. Treat others no matter what their pay grade or background with the same amount of dignity and respect you expect them to provide you.
What do you think about when you hear “Black History Month?” This month allows the country to celebrate the heritage of people who have made great strides in the overall history of this country. I think it is great to have these time frames to celebrate different heritages, but I believe we should celebrate and learn the entire year and not just limit ourselves to just one month.
Who’s your biggest influence? My mother was my biggest influence. Single mother that raised boy to a man (not an easy job to do).
What challenge remain for blacks today? How can understanding history help us to overcome them? I think one of the most challenging things we as people (not just black people) is we need to continue to learn and not forget our past but also focus on the future, on how we can continue to prosper and grow as a human race and remove any barriers that may divide us.
What is your best memory of working here? There are so many but the ones that stick out are: The moments when I saw employees of mine who were wage grades when I started in this organization get promoted to GS-12 / GS-13 positions.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A Fireman
What is your favorite quote? “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.